Connecticut Child Custody Legal Questions

Yes many attorneys do offer free consultations and I do too. However, a Child Custody Lawyer costs anywhere from $2,500 to $4,500 for a non-trial case. If you can not afford an attorney and you are not eligible to get a low-cost or free attorney, you might want to represent yourself in court which would be a cost-effective option. What you would need to do is first make sure that the child is with you at the time you approach the court. Once the child is with you, prepare temporary custody petitions and file it in court, serve the other parent and wait for your court date. On your court date, go in front of the judge (dress appropriate) (speak proper) and answer any questions or concerns the judge may have. This is the same process you would go through if you hire an attorney, only difference is you have an attorney that will go to court with you and do the same thing you can do on your own. If you do decide to go as a Pro Se we do offer Document Preparation, Case Management Service for a flat fee of $1,500.00 Feel free to contact my office and speak with a case manager at 877-866-8665 or email help@smsattorneys.com to go over your options. Licensed in New York and New Jersey.... Read More

She wants to enlist them to get benefits for the children. I do not know which benefits they are but you should review the packet and also work with a lawyer to go through your options. What is the difference if she gets to use the children on the army benefits? It will only show that she is getting kids some benefits. Its like a tug of war, I do this for the kids, what do you do? We can certainly assist you. Feel free to give us a call for a free consultation. Thank You. Toll-Free 1-877-866-8665 // Child Custody Lawyer in CT.... Read More

Hello and I hope you are in a better situation than you were when you asked this question. If you have not done so, you should have asked for mediation. I also hope that you did not sign any documents or settlement. Because I would be willing to assist you for a flat fee of $500 as part of a commitment I have to give back to the community. You can also feel free to reach out to me anytime for the second opinion and or reviewing any documents. If you have not already signed and closed the case, we can help. If the divorce and custody is already final, you can still modify the custody order with our help. Reach out to my office for more details and to discuss the details of the case. LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU. Please keep in mind that not all lawyers are same. Therefore be very cautious as to which attorney or law firm you chose to work with. We are based in New York but my network of SMS ATTORNEYS does travel out of state for clients. If you would like to retain our services while on a limited budget, do let us know and we will try to do our best to offer payment plans option. Feel free to give us a call for a free consultation. Ahsan Syed answer and comments to questions are for general purposes only and do not constitute legal advice or establish an attorney-client relationship with SMS ATTORNEYS without a signed retainer. Thank You. Toll-Free 1-877-866-8665 // Child Custody Lawyer in CT.... Read More

It is not that easy to terminate a parent right and have someone else do an adoption. This will require extensive litigation and most-likely when the biological mother finds out she will be furious and won't agree to the adoption. This might not happen and if she is nowhere to be found and or does not contest it, a lawyer might be able to help you. But the risk of an expensive litigation is very high and you should consider working with a competent custody and family law attorney.   Above answer and comments to questions are for general purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or establishes an attorney-client relationship without a signed retainer. Please reach out to an attorney you are comfortable with working and discussing your case in more details.... Read More

It depends on the court order. If the order mandates that the child not leave the state, then the answer is no. However, be aware that if the father was granted rights of visitation, the onus of accommodating that visitation may be on you. If you move far away so as to deny the father his court-ordered visitation, you may be in contempt of the court order. The best bet is to obtain court approval by having the visitation modified.... Read More

If you want a change of custody or to restrict visitation, then yes, the more proof you have, the better your chance of success. However, with the situation you have described, I think success will be difficult, but not impossible. You will need more specifics in addition to the father having an off-again/on-again relationship. As for free lawyers, check your local legal aid office.... Read More

It is unclear what jurisdiction is involved - whether it is NY or CT. In CT, it is not easy to "sign away parental rights". If this happens, it is usually in the context of an adoption. The state has a vested interest in having a parent be financially responsible for a child. In short, in CT, the father's threats are most likely bluster.... Read More

There is no set age for a child to be heard and considered in court. The court will take into account the age and relative maturity of the child. More importantly, there should be a guardian ad litem (GAL) appointed in this case. The guardian ad litem will speak to the court regarding the children's best interests. The GAL will be able to meet with the DCF worker, the children's teachers, medical providers, you and your ex. From these conversations, the GAL will advise the court what will be in the children's best interests. A GAL, given the ability to interview the above people, is in the best position to make recommendations to the court. While a court may listen to the children, the effect is that the court may not fully take the children's wishes into account. The judge will listen to a GAL.... Read More

More information is needed in order to fully answer this question. The woman can file for divorce in Connecticut while she is pregnant so long as Connecticut has jurisdiction (one of the parties must have been a resident for at least one year before the filing, or at the minimum, be a resident for at least one year by the time the divorce is finalized). It is not considered kidnapping to leave the state if she is pregnant, unless there is a court order prohibiting her to move while she is pregnant. Moving to Illinois or divorcing while she is pregnant will not stop or prevent parental rights. If the child is the husband's child, law bestows the responsibilities and benefits of parenthood on him. This means he will be responsible for child support but he also has the right of visitation. The court, in all likelihood, will not prevent her from leaving but the court may make her assist in transporting the child so that his visitation is not hindered. Her best bet is to speak to a family lawyer here and in Illinois to discuss her options.... Read More

In Connecticut, the law is that child support ends on the later of the child achieving the age of 18 years or if still a full time high school student upon graduation. However, in no event will child support continue beyond the child's 19th birthday. You should be aware that there may be an obligation to provide an amount of funds for college tuition. Look at your final decree to see if there is that obligation. Sometimes the court retains jurisdiction over that part.... Read More

Child custody cases are always complicated, and most judges in Louisiana will err on the side of both parents having as much contact as possible. Being "charged" with DUI is not the same as being convicted, and your ex may or may not suffer consequences in the child custody matter regarding a DUI. If he has had more than one DUI charge it may certainly be grounds to move for some restriction with regards to transportation of the child-but unless you really believe the child is not safe in his car you probably don't want to be made solely responsible for transporation. A sixteen-year old babysitter is not that uncommon-it's only unreasonable to you because he is seeing her romantically. It may actually be better for the child for her to watch the child by herself than to be there alone with your ex overnight while the child is there. You need the advice and expertise of a custody attorney to review all aspects of your case in order to help you distinguish good arguments that will make a difference for one side or another in any custody determination.... Read More

Connecticut courts look at what is in the best interests of the child when deciding custody disputes. In doing that analysis, the court will review a number of issues (or "factors") in making its decision. Some of the things you mentioned will certainly help you case, however, I would need to obtain some additional information before I could tell you if you have a strong case for sole custody.... Read More

Based on your facts it appears as though you will need to file a petition with either the Probate Court or the Superior Court (depending on some additional facts). These types of petitions can become very contentious and technical, in turn, you should seriously consider retaining an attorney to work with you though this process. If you would like to try to do this yourself, you can go to your local law library (found in most Connecticut Superior Courts) and ask them for help. As I recall, there was a pamphlet or report prepared a few years ago that provided some basic information on parental rights and petitions to terminate parental rights.... Read More

When Connecticut courts review 'relocation' cases, they will use the "best interests of the child" as the standard, not "economic reasons." These cases tend to be very complex and I would advise you to retain an attorney to assist you in this matter. Having said that, you may be able to simplify things if you can get consent for the move from your ex-spouse. Most often, this type of consent is given in exchange for something your ex might want from you.... Read More

To avoid potential issues later on (ex. motion for contempt filed by your husband on the basis that you are preventing him rightful access) you may want to move to modify (or terminate) the visitation. The likelihood of success will depend on a number of factors, including some of the things you mentioned, the circumstances surrounding your original divorce, the terms of your divorce decree (and any incorporated agreements).... Read More

At some point you will have to file a petition seeking to be appointed as guardian for your sister (who is a minor child). These types of petitions can become very contentious and technical, in turn, you should seriously consider retaining an attorney to work with you through this process. In addition, as your sister currently resides in New Hampshire, you may have to begin the process there.... Read More